Renewable Energy Sources

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Power Sector Transformation

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According to IRENA’s 2016 REmap global report, by 2050 renewable electricity will make up as much as 60% of all renewable energy use (when measured in final energy terms). Around four-fifths of all electricity generation will come from renewable sources, of which around half is expected to come from variable resources such as solar PV and wind. While in the long term any integration challenges are assumed to be resolved, IRENA members have currently concerns on how to best address the integration challenge in terms of planning for capacity expansion, ensuring reliable system operation and identifying the most suitable mix of grid integration measures, such as storage, demand response and harnessing available flexibility in the power system through effective market design. To address such concerns, the IRENA Power Sector Transformation team is active in the areas of Power sector planning with large shares of VRE, Grid integration planning studies, Energy storage and Smart Grid.

Data and interactive graphs:

Current and future VRE share in annual generation for G20 countries between 2014 and 2030

Power sector planning components and time horizon

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This joint study looks at the potential for decarbonisation in the energy sector in G20 countries and around the world. Chapter 3, “Global Energy Transition Prospects and the Role of Renewables”, highlights findings from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).